In his opinion, Ukrainian President Zelensky's attempt to ban Orthodox churches that are subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church should dispel any notion that Americans are supporting Western values of freedom in this war.
Such an example of the authoritarian style of the Ukrainian leader Tobin called "egregious."
“This is the final proof of Zelenskiy’s dictatorial regime and will tarnish his reputation as a champion of 21st-century democracy,” Tobin said.
He also notes that under Zelenskiy's policy, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine are free to worship and attend services, but only in approved Ukrainian Orthodox churches that speak to religious leaders in Kiev, not Moscow.
On December 2, Zelensky announced that the Ukrainian government would ban the activities of religious organizations that Kyiv believes are affiliated with Russia.
Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev said that the Ukrainian authorities have openly become enemies of Christ and the Orthodox faith.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has begun to carry out "counterintelligence security measures" at the facilities of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).